The Shops at South Town has high hopes with new NHL practice facility coming

SANDY, Utah — The Shops at South Town will be the new home of the Utah Hockey Club‘s new practice facility. Stores inside the mall hope it brings in more customers.  

The Smith Entertainment Group is building the facility on the south side of the mall and it has no plans to remove any businesses.

“We are initially not touching any of the existing mall areas that are currently being operated. We are going to be building out of the mall,” said Jim Olson, a SEG executive. 

Olson is also in charge of the plans for the mall.

More business for The Shops at South Town?

Both Olson and Sandy City Mayor Monica Zoltanski said the new facility will help bring more people to the mall and help these businesses. That’s something Brandon Anderson, a local manager, agrees with. 

Anderson, who manages Buckle, has worked at the mall for seven years. Anderson has seen businesses come and go but he believes the hockey team will help bring more foot traffic back to the area.

“I’m excited. I think this mall and area has kind of needed something big and exciting to happen,” said Anderson.

Anderson thinks the mall has needed something like this for some time. Anderson said he’s not worried about the future of the mall or his store.

The General Manager for The Shops at South Town, Bobbi Norton also expressed excitement over the opportunity to evolve the shopping center for the community. 

“We had over 200 people in attendance, which included enthusiastic tenants at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. We are also looking forward to supporting the NHL franchise, including their commitment to further improve the merchandising mix and the consumer experience for our guests,” said Norton. 

The project broke ground on Monday and SEG plans to have the facility ready by the start of next season. 

Related:

• Museum asked to leave Utah mall to make space for hockey team
• South Town mall bought by SEG for new hockey facility

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